Wrist watch crystal protector

ABSTRACT

A protector for the crystal and mechanism of a wrist watch. The protector may comprise a single piece of substantially transparent material which slidably fits over a watch. A hollow cover encloses the crystal, while a pair of arms resiliently connected to the cover slidably fit beneath the watch band or strap. The protector may be injection molded from clear or transparent plastic material.

United States Patent Vern F. Sion [72] Inventor 623 E. Providence Ave. Apt. B, Burbank. Calif. 91501 v [21] Appl. No. 845,737 [22] Filed July 29, 1969 [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [54] WRIST WATCH CRYSTAL PROTECTOR 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. Cl G04b 43/00 [50] Field ol'Search 58/91, 105, 88 W, 88 Wstc.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,767,315 6/1930 Schreiber 58/105 2,553,089 5/1951 Holder 58/105 2,582,473 1/1952 Belfort 58/105X 2,635,416 4/1953 Mietchen 58/105 2,998,695 9/1961 Cornett 58/105 FOREIGN PATENTS 101,164 8/1916 Great Britain 58/105 110,048 10/1917 Great Britain... 58/105 259,513 1/1949 Switzerland 58/105 Primary Examiner Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerGeorge H. Miller, Jr. Attorney Robert C. Comstock ABSTRACT: A protector for the crystal and mechanism of a wristwatch. The protector may comprise a single piece of substantially transparent material which slidably fits over a watch. A hollow cover encloses the crystal, while a pair of arms resiliently connected to the cover slidably fit beneath the watch band or strap. The protector may be injection molded from clear or transparent plastic material.

PATENTEDJUNI 5|97| 3,584,455

l/erlr F: 5/01? INVENTOR.

WRIST WATCH CRYSTAL PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a protector or guard for the crystal and mechanism of a wrist watch.

2. Description of the Prior Art While the prior art does disclose protectors for wrist watches, the prior devices are usually complex and awkward in their structure and operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a wrist watch crystal protector which is so simple in itsstructure and operation that it comprises nothing more than a single piece of substantially transparent plastic material which is so formed that it can be easily mounted upon and removed from a wrist watch.

The protector can be mounted or removed even while the watch is being worn. The protector maintains its in position on the watch through its own inherent resilience. It acts to protect the watch crystal from breakage, scratching, and spatter ing of oil, paint, plaster, glue, etc. It also acts to protectboth the watch crystal and the watch mechanism from dust, ocean spray, perspiration and other deleterious conditions.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a watch crystal protector which provides all of the advantages and benefits set forth above. I

A further object of the inventionis to provide such a device which is extremely simple and economical to manufacture, so that it can be distributed at a relatively low price.

Another object is to provide such a device which can be manufactured in substantially any color, to match a watch, wearing apparel, glasses, etc. or to provide a mod" look.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by the invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my watch crystal protector in use on a wrist watch on the wrist of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the watch crystal protector alone;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the same taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate the invention comprise a body member 10, which is preferably formed of a single piece of substantially transparent plastic material. The body member is capable of being formed by injection molding from plastic material such as propanate, butyrate or polycarbonate. Phenoxy, acrylic, acrylonitrile styrene, polystyrene, polyester resin or epoxy resin might also be used. The body member may also be made of plastic through sheet forming or casting techniques. Other suitable nonplastic materials and manufacturing processes may also be used.

The body member 10 includes a cover 11, which is circular in shape and has a concave interior which is constructed and arranged to fit over and enclose the .crystal of a wrist watch. An enlarged area 12 is provided adjoining one side of the cover 11. The enlarged area 12 is hollow and is adapted to fit over and enclose the stem of the watch.

Connected to the periphery of the cover [0 on opposite sides of the enlarged area 12 are a pair of loops 13, which are connected at their opposite ends to a pair of elongated arms 14. The loops 13 are twisted to extend simultaneously downwardly and outwardly from the periphery of the cover 10, so that the arms 14 extend parallel to the cover 10, but are spaced a short distance therefrom. The outward flare of the loops 13 causes the arms 14 to be spaced slightly outwardly, so thatv their inner edges are substantially aligned with the periphery of the cover 10.

The inner edges of the arms 14 are somewhat concave and generally follow the circular contour of the cover 10. The outer edges of the arms 14 are slightly convex. The outer ends of the arms 14 are provided with upwardly bent portions 15.

In use, the body member 10 is slid over the watch by moving the body member 10 transversely to the watch with the open area between the cover 11 and arms 14 directed toward the watch. The cover 1] slides over the crystal and body portion of the watch and then moves slightly downwardly to enclose the crystal of the watch. The arms 14 slide beneath the watch band or strap on opposite sides of the watch. This sliding movement is continued until the cover 11 snaps into place on the watch through its own resilience and encloses the watch and its crystal within the hollow portion of the cover 11 and the stem within the enlarged area 12.

The upwardly bent portions 15 at the outer ends of the arms 14 are preferably disposed adjacent the opposite edge of the watchband and there engage the watch band to prevent the body member 10 from accidentally slipping off. The watch is also held within the interior of the cover 11 and engages it to resist removal of the body member 10.

In order to remove the protector, it is necessary to separate the cover 11 and arms 14 slightly to permit the cover 11 to clear and slide over the watch and to permit the upwardly bent portions 15 of the arms 14 to clear and slide over the wrist band.

It will be noted that the body member 10 maintains itself in its protective position with respect to the watch through its own inherent resilience. The loops 13 in effect act as both hinges and springs which normally urge the cover 11 and arms 14 toward each other, but which permit their temporary movement away from each other during installation and removal of the body member 10.

It may be noted that the positioning of the arms 14 between the wrist band or strap and the wrist of the user may serve to elevate the watch mechanism from the wrist. This permits some circulation of air between the watch and the wrist and also spaces the watch from the wrist in order to reduce the deleterious effects of perspiration in the area where the watch normally contacts the wrist.

It may also be noted that the protector may be made in clear materials or colored transparent materials. Colors may be used to match or contrast with a watch, watch band, clothing, glasses, etc. Lightly colored material may also be used to provide a mod look to match lightly colored eyeglass lenses which are currently popular.

Iclaim:

l. A wrist watch protector comprising a body member having a portion thereof comprising a substantially transparent cover, said cover having a hollow interior dimensioned and adapted to fit over and at least partially enclose the upper crystal carrying portion of a watch mounted on a watch band, and holding means dimensioned and adapted to fit beneath the watch band directly adjacent to and on opposite sides of the watch to hold said cover in place on the watch, said holding means comprising a pair of arms connected to one side of the periphery of said cover and extending transversely to the watch band, said arms being spaced downwardly from said cover and extending substantially parallel thereto, said arms being temporarily deformable away from said cover to mount said protector on the watch by transverse sliding movement of said protector with respect to said watch and watch band, the resilience of said arms acting to urge said arms toward said cover to hold said protector on the watch, said arms terminating in open ends shortly after passing underneath the watch band.

'2. The structure described in claim 1, said arms being connected to said cover by a pair of loops, said loops being disposed a short distance apart from each other, said loops being twisted to extend simultaneously downwardly and outwardly from said cover, said loops and arms both being formed integrally with said cover.

3. The structure described in claim 2, said arms being disposed outwardly from said cover on opposite sides thereof, with the inner edges of said arms being substantially aligned with the side edges of said cover.

4. The structure described in claim 3, said arms having integral upwardly bent portions at the outer open ends thereof,

said upwardly bent portions being adapted to engage the edge of said wrist band to prevent the accidental removal of said protector from said watch.

5. The structure described in claim 4, said cover having an enlarged area on one side thereof, said enlarged area having a hollow interior dimensioned and adapted to fit around and enclose the stem of said watch.

6. The structure described in claim 5, said body member comprising a single piece of somewhat resilient molded plastic material. 

1. A wrist watch protector comprising a body member having a portion thereof comprising a substantially transparent cover, said cover having a hollow interior dimensioned and adapted to fit over and at least partially enclose the upper crystal carrying portion of a watch mounted on a watch band, and holding means dimensioned and adapted to fit beneath the watch band directly adjacent to and on opposite sides of the watch to hold said cover in place on the watch, said holding means comprising a pair of arms connected to one side of the periphery of said cover and extending transversely to the watch band, said arms being spaced downwardly from said cover and extending substantially parallel thereto, said arms being temporarily deformable away from said cover to mount said protector on the watch by transverse sliding movement of said protector with respect to said watch and watch band, the resilience of said arms acting to urge said arms toward said cover to hold said protector on the watch, said arms terminating in open ends shortly after passing underneath the watch band.
 2. The structure described in claim 1, said arms being connected to said cover by a pair of loops, said loops being disposed a short distance apart from each other, said loops being twisted to extend simultaneously downwardly and outwardly from said cover, said loops and arms both being formed integrally with said cover.
 3. The structure described in claim 2, said arms being disposed outwardly from said cover on opposite sides thereof, with the inner edges of said arms being substantially aligned with the side edges of said cover.
 4. The structure described in claim 3, said arms having integral upwardly bent portions at the outer open ends thereof, said upwardly bent portions being adapted to engage the edge of said wrist band to prevent the accidental removal of said protector from said watch.
 5. The structure described in claim 4, said cover having an enlarged area on one side thereof, said enlarged area having a hollow interior dimensioned and adapted to fit around and enclose the stem of said watch.
 6. The structure described in claim 5, said body member comprising a single piece of somewhat resilient molded plastic material. 